LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Welcome to the September 2024 edition of Harmony Life Magazine
Where has all the time gone? Harmony Life Magazine started August 2014, so we are 10 YEARS OLD and still going! I remember a few community “leaders” telling me it wouldn’t make it, but here we are!
A big thanks to Kisselback Ford for being our longest financial supporter. I bought my Bullitt Mustang from them a few years ago and my daughter’s car as well. I highly recommend both their sales and service department as Kisselback is the first car dealer where I’ve felt like part of the family.
An additional big welcome to our new advertiser Mike Demarse with Northpoint Mortgage. Mike and Northpoint are one of our preferred lenders that we have vetted and used for many years. Northpoint is working with Corcoran Connect, Ashley Park Condos and Association Solution to certify the AP Condos with FHA and open that option for the community. Please see their advertisement in this month’s magazine.
A warm welcome to our latest advertiser, ALL Flooring USA! (See their ad in the magazine for a discount coupon). They are located at: 1021 N. Narcoossee Rd., St. Cloud — Located Next to Domino’s. (407) 593-9481 • www.allflooringusa.com
Did you know that my wife, Jeanine Corcoran, puts out a weekly video and email for all the Harmony events? Send me your email address and I will add you to the list. You can always opt out at any time: Bill@QMCWorld.com
Harmony Life Magazine is produced by residents for residents. Please feel free to message me directly with content and pictures: Bill@QMCWorld.com
Remember to join the Facebook Harmony Residents Forum AND THE NEW, ADDITIONAL, HARMONY RESIDENTS FORUM, NO DRAMA.
See you in October!
Bill Bokunic, Publisher Bill@QMCWorld.com
CONTACT INFO FOR RESIDENTS
CDD HarmonyCDD.org, 407-566-1935 Dan, Jo, Lucas, Kerul, or Mark @HarmonyCDD.org
SHERIFF, NON-EMERGENCY 407-348-2222
HROA Association Solutions, 811 Mabette St., Kissimmee 407-847-2280, www.MyHOASolution.com
CONDOS HOA Sentr y Management, 407-846-6323
TOWNHOMES HOA Association Solutions, 811 Mabette St., Kissimmee 407-847-2280, www.MyHOASolution.com
SEPTEMBER 2024
A publication of Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC www.QMCWorld.com
PUBLISHER & CEO
Bill Bokunic
321.331.6398
Bill@QMCWorld.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Renée Blair
Blair Creative Group, Inc.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Cherry Heck
CONTRIBUTORS
Jeanine Corcoran
Corcoran Connect
Kerul Kassel PHD
Hamony CDD Board Member
Kim Kirsch
Insurance Broker / District Manager, Healthcare Solutions Team
The opinions expressed in the Harmony Life Magazine articles are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Quantum Marketing Communications, Harmony Life Magazine or the Publisher.
Harmony Life Magazine, Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC and the Publisher can, in no way whatsoever, be held responsible for the content of such views, nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views.
All rights reserved. No part of any Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
3501 Pug Mill Rd. Kissimmee, FL 34741
OsceolaFL@advanceddisposal.com
OSCEOLA COUNTY Osceola.org “Citizen Action Center” COUNTY COMMISSIONER ricky.booth@osceola.org
RICKY BOOTH
Residents Forum, NO DRAMA
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
By Mark LeMenager Chairman, Harmony Community Development District
September Updates
Good news. At the July meeting, the Board of Supervisors decreased the proposed 7.6% increase in the operations budget to a more in line with inflation 3.5%. The overall increase in your CDD assessment will be 1.8% for most property owners. This is less than $5 a month for most property owners. Thank you to those who contacted their supervisors on this issue. You can see your FY 2025 assessment on HarmongCDD. org under Financial Documents/Budget Documents/FY 2025 Harmony Adopted Budget. The assessment rates are on page 15. Neighborhood names have been added to the document to make it easier to find your house.
The Maintenance Facility location has been resolved. The Lake Front Park location has been scrapped and we will not pursue acquiring the Golf Course’s Maintenance Facility. We will move forward with the Five Oaks location on a plot we own next to the entrance to the Golf Course’s Facility.
One interesting item that was discovered while researching funding options is that the CDD has not yet issued all the $50 million worth of development bonds that were originally approved by Osceola County over 20 years ago. We still have the potential to issue a little over $9 million in new bonds should the need ever arise. Don’t misread this. There are no plans or intentions to do so, but it’s good to know we have the possibility.
Always you can reach me at Mark@harmonycdd.org if you have and questions, comments, or concerns. n
FLOORING :
KITCHEN
HEALTHCARE
By Kim Kirsch Insurance Broker / District Manager, Healthcare Solutions Team
AEP? WHAT’S THAT?
If During Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to review and make changes to their healthcare coverage. This period is crucial because it allows individuals to ensure that their current plan will continue to meet their health and financial needs for the upcoming year.
Here are the main actions you can take during Medicare AEP:
Switch Medicare Advantage Plans: If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan that might offer better benefits, a more suitable network of providers, or lower costs.
Join, Switch, or Drop a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D): AEP is when you can review your Part D coverage and make changes based on your prescription needs. You can enroll in a new Part D plan, switch to a different plan, or drop coverage entirely if it no longer suits you.
Return to Original Medicare: If you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can choose to return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). This might be beneficial if your Medicare Advantage plan no longer aligns with your health needs, or if you prefer the flexibility of Original Medicare.
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan: If you’re currently on Original Medicare, AEP allows you to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. This might appeal to those seeking additional benefits such as dental, vision, or hearing coverage, which are typically not covered by Original Medicare.
Review your options carefully during AEP to ensure your healthcare plan aligns with your needs. We are here to help and are always just a call away. Kim: 407-870-3462, Briana: 407-460-7257, Rick: 407-2222384. n
Corcoran Connect and Royal St. Cloud have teamed up for a great offer.
New clients receive a one-year Individual Golf Membership with the purchase or sale of a home when using Corcoran Connect. This is a $950 value.
For more information and details, contact us at Corcoran Connect.
Restrictions: Cart fee not included. Valid for 1 year. No cash value. Limited time offer. Non-transferable. One per family.
DID YOU KNOW?
By Kerul Kassel
TIPS FOR LIVING WITH HARMONY'S WILD ANIMAL FRIENDS
DID YOU KNOW that Harmony was designed to promote the peaceful coexistence of human and animal residents within the community while striking a balance between the preservation, use and enjoyment of Harmony's natural areas? Harmony incorporates natural and human-built environments that blend in ways designed to enhance the relationships between humans and animals and maximize the benefits of their peaceful coexistence. While retaining natural areas, Harmony is part of a human-dominated landscape where our actions profoundly affect the welfare of wild animals. Here are some tips for living in harmony with our wild animal friends.
Don’t automatically remove the wildlife from your yard. In Harmony we are tolerant of our wild neighbors. Wildlife experts state that it is perfectly normal to see possums, deer, turkey, cranes, armadillos, raccoons, and even alligators in our backyards and people shouldn’t automatically want them gone. One solution is to live trap these animals and move them elsewhere, but this is not an answer. If you move out wild animals from your yard other animals will eventually move in. We encourage you to be patient. Most wild animals are nomadic and in time they will move on.
Don’t drastically trim trees. Local wildlife refuges takes in many baby birds each year that are orphaned when their nest is cut from a tree. Experts say there is no substitute for being raised by a parent. It is traumatic for animals to be taken away from their families and reared by humans since they can’t be taught by humans the same way they are taught by their parents. If you accidentally knock a nest out of a tree, the Humane Society of the United States suggests that you should retrieve the nest and re-nest them in the same location.
Clean up food. The smell of garbage is a huge attraction to wildlife. To prevent wild animals from being attracted to your yard, keep lids secured or store garbage in the garage, especially overnight. In addition, don’t leave pet food or water bowls outside and be sure to clean below bird feeders, as seed can attract scavengers such as raccoons and rats. It’s also a good idea to pick up fruit as soon as it has fallen from any fruit trees.
Take care of your lawn and garden with wildlife in mind. Always check over your lawn before you mow and search for turtles and rabbit nests. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) advises people to move turtles gently, but rabbit nests should be left alone (and
don’t mow near them) so that the mother will return to the nest to feed them. You should also keep your lawn grub-free and you will prevent raccoons, armadillos and opossums from tearing up your lawn to feast on them. If you’re trying to keep animals out of your garden, the best way is to erect a chicken wire fence at least 36" above the ground and 12" below the ground. You can also place mesh cages over young plants. Motion-activated noisemakers available from garden centers, owl decoys and pinwheels can also be effective deterrents.
Check access points. Check and screen off any entry points that allow wildlife access. You should also check your roof eaves, overhangs, vents and even cracks around windows or pipes that lead into the house for bat entryways. They can squeeze through openings 1/2 inch wide. Do not patch holes between May and September or you may trap young bats inside. Small animals can access buildings through holes as little as one-inch wide, so be sure to seal any holes with heavy-weight material (hardware cloth or heavy-gauge screening) or steel wool. Wire mesh can also be used to plug openings in walls and floors.
As suburban sprawl continues to displace wild animals, encounters with humans are inevitable. Ongoing development has forced many wild animals to relocate, so clashes between humans and animals will most likely increase. However, many of these situations can be avoided with a little effort and planning. The bottom line is that all of us need to do our best to live in harmony with wildlife. n
PHOTO: CHERRY HECK
HARMONY, FLORIDA: LIVING WITH NATURE IN A NEW TOWN
By Harmony's Own, Anthony James Catanese
We know that Harmony is a very special place. This book tells how it was done. It started with a vision supported by science on how important regular interaction with nature and animals is to human health. This led to creating a new community whereby these interactions were incorporated at the very beginning of the development. It is intended for people who want to learn and take action. We can achieve greatness and conservation through proper development of our land. This is how to do it.
QUICK REFERENCE DIRECTORY
ADVERTISING & MAGAZINES
Harmony Life
Bill Bokunic
321-331-6398
Bill@QMCWorld.com www.QMCWorld.com
AIR-CONDITION SERVICES
Access Air
Eric Farnsworth
*Harmony Resident* 407-921-0760 ELFarnsworth@live.com
AUTO DEALER
Kisselback Ford 1118 13th Street St. Cloud 407-892-2141 www.KisselbackFord.com
CHURCH
Harmony Community Church
Meeting 10am Sundays at Harmony Community School (844) 444-FBCH www.HarmonyCommunity.church
CHIROPRACTOR
Living Well Chiropractic
*Harmony Resident* 4041 13th St. St. Cloud 34768 407-957-1337 www.LivingWellCFL.com
GARAGE DOORS & OPENERS
D.S.I.
Sales / Service / Repairs 407-970-5847
dsigaragedoor@yahoo.com www.dsigaragedoorandopener.com
GOLF CLUB
Royal St. Cloud Golf Links 5310 Michigan Ave. St. Cloud, FL 34769 407-891-7010
GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES
Blair Creative Group, Inc.
Renée Blair
Lake Nona 321-972-3669 www.BlairCG.com
HOSPITAL
Orlando Health
St. Cloud Hospital 2906 17th St., St. Cloud 407-892-2135 www.OrlandoHealth.com
INSURANCE
Brightway Insurance, The Sterner Agency 407-891-9361 www.BrightwaySterner.com
Gredy Insurance
Brady Evans
*Harmony Resident* 812-798-2199 brady@gredyinsurance.com
Healthcare Solutions Team Kim Kirsch 407-870-3462 kkirsch@myhst.com
Kisselback Insurance Agency
Ashely Evans 321-316-3360 1118 13th St. St. Cloud 34769
LAWN SERVICE
Champions Property Maintenance
*Harmony Resident* Joe Murray 407-766-5051 ChampionPropertyMaintenanceLLC@gmail.com
MORTGAGE LENDING
Northpoint Mortgage Mike Demarse 407-712-7303
mdemarse@northpoint.com www.MikeDemarse.com
MUSIC LESSONS
Harmony Performance
Arts Studio
Amber Lanning & Ellen Short Voice/Piano/Acting 682-936-9551
PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING
AAA All Star Painting LLC. Commerical & Residential Licensed & Insured 407-908-5525
Performance Soft Wash LLC. Exterior House Cleaning & Paver Sealing 407-729-7567
PARK
Wild Florida
3301 Lake Cypress Rd. Kenansville 407-957-3135 www.WildFL.com
PET GROOMING
Rivera's Pet Luv Spa 407-556-3555 7264 S. Harmony Square Dr.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Abbey Evans Photography Weddings, Families, Newborns, Seniors www.abbeyevansphoto.com
PLUMBER
K&R Plumbing
24-Hour Emergency Services 407-979-1033
KRPlumbing2019@gmail.com www.KandRPlumbingLLC.com
REAL ESTATE
Corcoran Connect
*Harmony Resident* Jeanine Corcoran Owner/Broker Buy/Sell/Rent/Property Mgmt. 407-953-9118 www.CorcoranConnect.com
REMODELING
All Flooring USA & Cabinets 1021 N. Narcoosee Rd., St. Cloud Located Next to Domino's 407-593-9481 www.AllFlooringUSA.com
ROOFING
Hogan Roofing Corben Hogan 407-449-ROOF Office@HoganRoofs.com www.HoganRoofs.com/Refer
TRAVEL
Meisner Cruise and Travel
*Harmony Resident* 407-738-7088 • tvlwithlinda@gmail.com
Facebook: Harmony Get Aways With Meissner Travel
WATER SYSTEMS
Dependable Water Treatment 407-242-7150
WINE & SPIRITS
Levee Liquor & Gas
Now Delivering in Harmony! 718 13th St., St. Cloud 407-593-9605 www.LeveeLiquor.com
